The Challenge Factory discussion

Backyard Birding Challenge
Duration July 1 - December 31, 2023

Bird Set 1:

1. American Robin - Male and female Robins are very similar in appearance. Though known for being worm eaters, robins have varied diets. American Robins mostly eat fruits in the fall and winter, and include more insects and worms in their spring and summer diets. You can occasionally spot tipsy robins in the late winter and early spring, thanks to fermented berries they have devoured.
a. Read a book with twins in it.
b. Read a book with a tipsy character.
c. Read a book by an author with first and last initials of A and R (in either order).
d. Read a book whose title or series name has all of the letters ROBIN in it.

2. Downy Woodpecker - These are the smallest North American woodpeckers. The male has a distinctive red spot on the back of the head. Their diet is largely insects, but you will also see them at suet feeders in your backyard.
a. Read a book with a red spot on the cover.
b. Read a book that mentions a something made with down - a comforter, pillow, jacket, etc.
c. Read a book by an author with first and last initials of D and W (in either order).
d. Read a book whose title or series name has all of the letters DOWNY in it.

3. American Goldfinch – This is the only finch that molts twice a year. In summer, males are a vivid yellow with a black cap and black wings. Females are a duller yellow and lack the black cap. They often feed on small-seeded plants like thistles.
a. Read a book whose cover has bright yellow and black on it.
b. Read a book where a character changes clothes more than once.
c. Read a book by an author with first and last initials of A and G (in either order).
d. Read a book whose title or series name has all of the letters FINCH in it.

4. House Sparrow – This bird did not exist in North America until 1851, when it was imported from Europe to combat a linden moth caterpillar infestation in New York City. It can now be found on every continent except Antarctica and is considered to be a pest species. It is not related to any other American sparrow species.
a. Read a book about a migrant or migrants.
b. Read a book with a MC who is a pest (your interpretation).
c. Read a book by an author with first and last initials of H and S (in either order).
d. Read a book whose title or series name has all of the letters SPARROW in it.

5. American Crow –These birds are incredibly clever, with the largest brain-to-body ratio of any bird. They not only use tools but also make them. They hold funerals for their dead. They can solve a metatool problem where each step was out of sight of the others, planning ahead three behaviors into the future. Populations of crows have different dialects, which a new crow will learn if it joins the flock.
a. Read a book where the MC is very good at solving problems.
b. Read a book where the MC learns a language other than their native one.
c. Read a book by an author with first and last initials of A and C (in either order).
d. Read a book whose title or series name has all of the letters CROW in it.

#3b: Character changes clothes more than once
Beagles Love Cupcake Crimes
Main character Lyra changes into and out of her chef's whites/uniform, her regular outfits are also mentioned several times

#4c: Author initials are S.H.
Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl

#5a: MC is very good at solving problems
Murder at Haven's Rock
Main character Casey is a detective and solves murder cases

#1d: letters in ROBIN in title
Good Neighbors
good NeIghBORs

#2d: letters in DOWNY in title
Window on the Bay
WiNDOw on the baY

FINALLY finished the first group of birds! Task #2 was a rough one for me :)

Yay!!!

Here are your badges for Bird Set 1!

Bird Set 2:

6. Black Capped Chickadee - This bird's black cap and bib make it easy to identify. It has a habit of investigating humans and everything around its home territory. Chickadees usually hide seeds and other food items to eat later. They choose different spots to place each item. A Chickadee can remember thousands of food hiding places.
a. Read a story where the MC investigates something.
b. Read a story where a character hides things.
c. Read a book by an author with first and last initials of B and C (in either order).
d. Read a book whose title or series name has all of the letters BLACK in it.

7. House Finch - Once limited to the Western United States and Mexico, House Finches are now found from coast to coast, and as far north as southern Canada. In 1939 a few of the birds, originally captured in Santa Barbara, California, were set free on New York’s Long Island by a pet store owner. Although House Finches are well adapted to dry climates, they still need a lot of water. On especially hot days, they can consume more than their own bodyweight in fluids.
a. Read a book set in the western United States or Mexico.
b. Read a book where the MC drinks a lot of water.
c. Read a book by an author with first and last initials of H and F (in either order).
d. Read a book whose title or series name has all of the letters HOUSE in it.

8. Yellow-Rumped Warbler - This is one of the most abundant birds in all of North America, and by far the most common of the 50 varieties of warbler. They are one of the first signs that spring migration is ramping up. If you see one Yellow-rumped Warbler, chances are good you'll see others. During spring and fall migration, these birds often forage in groups.
a. Read a book where the MC has an abundance of something (could be physical or nonphysical like an emotion)
b. Read a book where the MC goes out with a group of friends to eat.
c. Read a book by an author with first and last initials of Y and W (in either order).
d. Read a book whose title or series name has all of the letters WARBLER in it.

9. White Breasted Nuthatch - White-breasted nuthatches have short tails, white undersides and are bluish gray on top with a dark cap. Whenever you see a bird going headfirst down a tree trunk, it’s probably a nuthatch. They are a nonmigratory bird and form long-term bonds.
a. Read a book where the MC spends time upside down (think yoga, gymnastics, aerobatic flying, amusement park rides, etc.)
b. Read a book where the MC has a long-term relationship.
c. Read a book by an author with first and last initials of W and N (in either order).
d. Read a book whose title or series name has all of the letters WHITE in it.

10. Wood Thrush - These birds do not come to feeders but frequent backyards that are near wooded areas. Unlike many songbirds, males do not practice "song matching" but instead will respond to a rival's song with a different song of their own. These birds are prone to nest parasitism by Brown Headed Cowbirds, but accept the foreign eggs and raise them as their own.
a. Read a book where the MC loves to sing.
b. Read a book where the MC adopts a child.
c. Read a book by an author with first and last initials of W and T (in either order).
d. Read a book whose title or series name has all of the letters THRUSH in it.

#9d: title has all the letters WHITE in it
The Christmas Wedding Guest
Finished 8/18/23

#7a: book takes place in western US or Mexico
The True Love Experiment
Takes place in San Diego, CA
Finished 8/21/23

#6d: has all the letters in BLACK in title
Alchemy of a Blackbird
Finished 10/19/23

#8b: character goes out with group of friends to eat
The Breakaway
Biking group eats together for several meals; they don't start out as friends, but by the end of the book they are (and are still dining together).
Finished 11/2/23